Latest news - November 2011

WORLD FIRST STUDY TO HELP REDUCE HEAD ON CRASHES

The Member for Dubbo Troy Grant today announced the results of a study which shows wide centre lines decrease the chances of motorists crossing to the wrong side of the road.
Mr Grant said the wider centre lines trialled on sections of the Newell Highway had shown a proven road safety benefit for motorists. 
"The wide centre line study showed more than 90 per cent improvement in vehicles travelling within their lane," Mr Grant said. 
"This considerable improvement in vehicles staying in their own lane and not drifting across centre lines or edge lines of the road provides potential reductions in both run-off road and head on crashes." 
"The Centre for Road Safety retained the wider centre lines on the Newell Highway and will now look at options for using the line markings in other locations around the State." 
"The road markings used in the trial were wider than those traditionally used providing a 1.2 metre space between opposing flows of traffic instead of a 30 centimetre gap."
Mr Grant said the study was carried out in two locations: north of Parkes near the Goobang Road intersection for about five kilometres north and near West Wyalong from the intersection of Bodells Lane to south of the Mid Western Highway.
"The Newell Highway has long sections of road with few overtaking opportunities so it was important the lines could separate the traffic streams but also allow road users to overtake," Mr Grant said.

Roads and Maritime Services is trialling several initiatives on the Newell to improve the safety and conditions for truck drivers and the community.

Road centreline trial

The Centre for Road Safety has undertaken a study to evaluate the trial of a number of new wide centre line delineation configurations which have been introduced on the Newell Highway.

This road marking scheme was promoted on the basis that a wide centre line would be beneficial in improving road safety on the Highway. The markings catered for all overtaking manoeuvres but also prohibit overtaking in the same way as normal centre line markings.

The primary analysis involved the investigation of driver behaviour before and after the road markings were introduced. The reports can be view here.

Blue reflectors pointing to pull over spaces

The informal rest areas on the Newell Highway are now marked by a series of blue reflectors on the approach to each site.  These blue reflectors tell truck drivers of places where they can safely pull over.  Roads and Maritime Services has received much positive feedback from truck drivers, police and large road vehicles about this initiative.